Rear Yard Drains: What Your Need to Know

Soil Matters

Soil consists of various combinations of silt, clay, and sand. The predominant soil type in St. Clair Shores is clay loam, a clay-heavy mix that does not absorb water as well as other soil types. Typically, the ground can absorb water from storms or snow until it floods. Then, the flood water is gradually absorbed back into the ground as it dries. With clay-heavy soil, the ground absorbs much less water, making flooding more common. The water is then only dispelled by evaporation.

Let's explore some options to keep yard flooding to a minimum.

What to Try First

If you have...

Catch Basin - make sure your lawn's grade doesn't impede water flow toward the basin. Keep the catch basin free of debris to allow drainage.

Sprinkler System - check for leaks and configure spouts to utilize your lawn's grade to drain away from your house and your neighbor's property.

Downspouts - direct away from your home. All downspouts within six feet of the property line must direct water to the front or back of the house. Directing water toward neighbors' property may result in legal action against you.

Still getting flooding? Let's look at your other options.

Natural Solution

Rain Gardens

If your yard has low spots collecting water, a rain garden can help. Rain gardens use deep-rooted plants and added soil to absorb and filter water runoff. They must utilize native plants with a deep root system and be appropriately placed and sized. Also, this natural solution doesn't require a permit, making it a great option for homeowners.

Other Options

Gravity Drains with Pop-Up Emitters

Much like how your roof and gutters use gravity to direct water off your house, a gravity drain directs water away from your yard. Typically, these are installed under downspouts and directed towards the front yard to the city storm drains. Because gravity drains must be a minimum of 5' off a driveway and 10' from a property line, pop-up emitters use the build-up of water and pressure to release a flow of water that will reach the storm drains.

French Drain

A French drain is a trench filled with rock and/or gravel that directs surface and groundwater away from an area. A pipe is placed inside the trench to collect and distribute the water. Due to the heavy clay soils in the area, the system may not work as designed without significant filling of the trench (pea gravel or similar) around the pipe.

Dry Well

A dry well is a gravity-fed underground structure that holds unwanted water. During dryer weather, the stored water is gradually released back into the ground. Dry wells are not recommended in St. Clair Shores because the dense clay does not absorb water, leaving it stagnant and attracting mosquitoes.

Some Other Things

What about Sump Pumps?

Sump pumps are not included in the options for rear yard drainage. All sump pumps are required to connect to the city storm system or a combined storm system/sanitary system. Contact the Community Development And Inspections Department for more information on sump pumps.

Can't I just change my soil?

Changing the grade of your yard is a big task and requires the City Engineer's approval (Sec. 8-57 of the city ordinance). The City Engineer will require a grading plan with each application to change the grade in your yard. The solutions above are a much better option for city homeowners.

PERMITS

All drainage systems you decide to install require a city permit (aside from rain gardens). The cost of the permit is calculated on the scope of the work necessary. Inspections are also required at minimum to ensure the slope of the trench is adequate to drain the water.

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